Top 10 Stretch Mark Myths Debunked

Stretch marks, medically known as striae, are smooth, white, scar-like lesions that usually occur due to rapid stretching of the skin. They often develop during pregnancy, sudden weight gain or loss, and adolescence.

Several common misconceptions about stretch marks make it difficult to gain a better understanding of this problem. So, you need to be equipped with the correct knowledge to deal with this problem properly.

Here are the top 10 myths about stretch marks.

Myth #1: Stretch marks occur only in women.

Fact: Stretch marks are a natural effect of pregnancy and hence believed to occur only in women. About 90% of women get stretch marks during pregnancy, particularly after the sixth or seventh month. But stretch marks occur in men, too.

Basically, stretch marks appear when the elastin fibers beneath your skin break due to rapid stretching over a short period of time. Thus, apart from pregnancy, stretch marks can also appear due to sudden weight gain or loss and growth spurts during puberty.

Myth #2: Stretch marks are caused only by stretching of skin.

Fact: Stretching of the skin is the most common and obvious reason for developing stretch marks, but it is not the only cause. The dermis layer of the skin is strong and has good supportive and protective material. However, hormonal factors tend to prevent or decrease the formation of elastin fibers and collagen in the dermis. This reduces the skin’s ability to withstand the force of rapid stretching, which in turn makes you more susceptible to developing stretch marks.

This usually happens due to elevated levels of glucocorticoids and other hormones. The adrenal gland increases the production of this hormone during pregnancy, puberty, bodybuilding, and rapid weight gain or loss.

Myth #3: Stretch marks only occur on the stomach.

Fact: Though the stomach is the most common location for stretch marks, mostly because of pregnancy, they can also appear on other parts of the body such as the breasts, thighs, calves, buttocks, lower back, upper arms, and elbow and knee creases.

Myth #4: Losing weight will help you get rid of stretch marks.

Fact: Just because weight gain and obesity cause stretch marks does not mean that they can be eliminated through weight loss. Losing weight will not help you get rid of stretch marks as they are basically scars on the dermis layer of the skin.

Moreover, they are caused by the thinning and overstretching of the middle layer of skin and losing weight will not help it return to normal. Nevertheless, exercise can be of some help when stretch marks are fresh (that is, they are red or pink).

Myth #5: Skinny people cannot get stretch marks.

Fact: This is not true because stretch marks often develop due to hormonal and genetic factors. Pre-teens and teenagers, for instance, can get stretch marks due to hormonal changes, regardless of their weight. Though rare, certain health conditions such as Marfan syndrome, Cushing’s syndrome, and prolonged use of topical corticosteroids can also cause this problem.